Bone broth
CautionUnsalted, skimmed, homemade bone broth is a reasonable food topper. Cartons off the grocery shelf usually are not: read the label for onion powder, garlic powder and sodium, and never give the cooked bones.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Increased thirst
- Increased urine volume
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Tremors
- Poor coordination or balance
- Seizures
- Abdominal pain
- Pale gums or mucous membranes
More about this food
The American Kennel Club treats bone broth as a usable option for dogs precisely because it delivers something from bones without handing the dog a bone, but it also warns that some broths "may contain additives for preservation and taste, such as onions, garlic, or salt." That warning is the whole story with American store-bought broth. Most chicken, beef and "bone broth" cartons list onion powder, garlic powder, or yeast extract, and "low sodium" is not the same thing as no sodium. Restaurant broth — pho, ramen, tonkotsu, matzo ball soup — is salted for people and is not a candidate.
Sodium is the first concern. Merck puts clinical signs of sodium chloride toxicosis in dogs at ingestion of 2-3 g/kg, with roughly 4 g/kg as an acute oral lethal dose. One bowl rarely gets there, but pouring seasoned broth over kibble every day is a different pattern, and for a dog with heart or kidney disease sodium restriction is part of the treatment.
Allium is the second. Per Merck, sulfur-containing oxidants in onion and garlic damage canine red blood cells and cause hemolysis, which typically appears 3-5 days after exposure — and toxicoses most often involve concentrated forms like powders and dry soup mix, which is exactly how broth is flavored. Dissolved in liquid, the dose is impossible to estimate.
Fat is the third. The white layer that sets on top of chilled broth is fat, and dietary indiscretion is a common risk factor for acute pancreatitis in dogs. VCA describes the signs as nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea and appetite loss, with the classic "praying position," chest down and hindquarters up.
To make it at home: bones and water only, no salt, no onion, no garlic, no bouillon. Strain out every bone fragment, chill it, lift off the solid fat cap, then freeze it in portions and add a spoonful to meals. If your dog drank seasoned broth or soup, leave fresh water available but offer it in small amounts frequently rather than letting the dog gulp, never use salt or salt water to induce vomiting, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Frequently asked questions
- Is store-bought bone broth safe for dogs?
- Only if the label shows no onion, no garlic, no yeast extract and minimal sodium. AKC specifically warns that broths may contain onion, garlic or salt as additives, and low-sodium is not sodium-free.
- Can my dog chew the bones left over from making broth?
- No. Long-cooked bones splinter easily and cause tooth fractures, obstruction and perforation. Use the liquid and throw every bone away where the dog cannot reach it.
- How much bone broth can I give?
- A spoonful or two stirred into a meal is plenty for most dogs, and it should stay inside the 10% of daily calories allotted to treats and toppers. Start small and stop if the stool loosens.